St. Antony Of The Desert

St. Anthony lived a life of asceticism. After hearing in Church Matthew 19:21, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." St. Anthony resolved to do just this. He left his village to live a life of prayer, fasting, and labor. Whenever Anthony heard of pious, holy people and would travel to visit them and gain from them virtues that he would take back with him to the desert to imitate in his own life. St. Anthony died at the age of one hundred and five. His feast day is celebrated on January 17.